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Saxton
Anti-Terrorism Trip Sunday,
February 24 The changes in Russia are profound. Even since my first trip in 1999, I see more average Russian people driving cars (both Russian and imported) and shopping for groceries and goods at fully-stocked stores. The streets of Moscow are overflowing with motorists- perhaps a bit too much like the traffic of Philadelphia and New York. I see so much advertising in the form of giant televised or neon signs, including U.S. products. Billboards are quite prolific, more than in the USA. My final impressions are that although there has been much progress, there is more work to be done, more ways we can improve communication between our countries. I am especially grateful to the staff on the House Armed Services Committee which arranged the co-del. My companions and escorts from the U.S. Air Force have been more than helpful. They went out of their way to make this trip through four European countries go as smoothly as possible and I appreciate their work. Additionally, I am thankful for the time and effort of various Russian, Germany, Belarusian and Dutch officials who hosted our delegation. Please check press releases for more info. I hope to have a few photos posted shortly, perhaps by the time I return to Washington this week as the Congress reconvenes after the President's Day break. Saturday,
February 23 I am struck by the attitude of the service members I've met. They are anxious to be deployed to Afghanistan. They are in excellent spirits, and I feel at home away from home amid these service men and women. Aware that I'm the chairman of the House Military Installations and Facilities Subcommittee (which oversees all construction projects on U.S. military facilities at home and abroad), they brought up numerous military construction projects our forces are in need of in Germany. There is a clear need to upgrade some facilities, and I assured them I would take the matters up in the Subcommittee, as well as the Armed Services Committee. We depart Ramstein Air base in the late afternoon. As we have throughout my trip, the delegation boards a U.S. Air Force transport, and leaves for Andrews Air Force Base near Washington. The delegation seems weary, but satisfied that we have accomplished our objectives. Friday,
February 22 In Germany, I've visited and toured portions of several U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army military installations, including the U.S. Air Force European Headquarters. At Baumholder Army Airfield I ate with some U.S. troops. (Press Release) Thursday,
February 21 We flew out of Russia today, and everyone seemed confident that the trip to help improve relations between our nations was worthwhile. After a three-and-a-half hour flight, we arrived in Ramstein Air Base, Germany at about noon. I understand McGuire AFB (back in my home in Burlington County, N.J.) has some airmen stationed here from the 305th Air Mobility Wing, so I hope to run into some of them -- it will be refreshing to see some local faces. The German people I've met have been very friendly and supportive. They are inquisitive and sympathetic about the World Trade Center attack. I attended a three-hour briefing on anti-terrorism studies and war-time strategies before heading back to my lodgings. Wednesday,
February 20 I was especially pleased to meet the Vice Secretary of the Duma, Vladimir Petrovich Lukin, whom I'd met in Vienna in 1999 for the first time when we tried to build bridges between our governments and our countries. He is a former general and we talked about areas of cooperation. We are building relationships here in Russia, and the two of us renewing our personal contact goes a long way in that direction. After that we met with Demitriy Olegovich Rogozin, chairman of the Duma's International Affairs Committee. He encouraged us to convey to the administration that the global situation is very complicated, and that military solutions may not always be the right choice. He cited Russian dealings in the East as examples. We then went to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) anti-terrorist center. CIS Director Mylnikov expressed to us that it would be best for counter-terrorism efforts if the Republic of Uzbekistan (a former Soviet state which borders Afghanistan) joined the CIS. He also briefed us on the materials and intelligence support the Russians gave the U.S.-backed Northern Alliance in recent months. We ended the meeting with a visit to the Chairman of the Committee on Defense, Andrey Ivanovich Nikolayev, who is an active general. I believe he is the equivalent to our House Armed Services Committee chairman. He seemed to be a hardline, Soviet-era general, and was somewhat critical of the U.S. military action. (Press Release) Tuesday,
February 19 Earlier my day started with Duma Delegate Anatoliy Kulikov, who sits on the Duma's Security Committee as is chairman of its Anti-terrorism Subcommittee. One might say he's my counterpart, since I'm the chairman of the House Special Oversight Panel on Terrorism (a branch of the House Armed Services Committee). We spoke about the possibility of joint cooperation between the U.S., Russia and European countries in a World Anticrime, Antiterrorism Forum, and of potential anti-terrorism legislation for the Duma and the U.S. Congress. Next, I met with the Speaker of the Duma, Gennadiy Nikolayevich Seleznyov, the equivalent of our Speaker of the House. Our 45-minute meeting went well, spilling over to over an hour and a half. Essentially, we spoke about ways the Duma and the Congress can work together to counteract terrorism on an international level. (We also spoke about social and tax policy.) (Press Release) Monday,
February 18 Afterward we held discussions with deputy ministers from the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry. The co-del (congressional delegation) seems to be benefiting. I'd say we have a 100% better understanding of our Russian colleagues than the last time we came (1999). (Press Release) Sunday,
February 17 He is also an active general, and was the commander of Russian forces in Chechnya in the mid-1990s. I'm told it was an honor to be invited to his dacha, or personal residence. We visited him there and shared our thoughts on the U.S. led war on terrorism. We saw Red Square, St. Peter's Cathedral and the Kremlin en route to a meeting. They are impressive examples of Russian architecture. I wish I had more free time to see them closer. Saturday,
February 16 Friday,
February 15 Thursday,
February 14 |
